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What Qualifies as a Personal Injury Case?

personal injury law

Personal injury law offers a means of obtaining compensation if you’ve been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. While a fender-bender might not qualify, serious accidents that result in significant losses often lay the groundwork for a personal injury case. Understanding what qualifies as a personal injury helps determine if you have grounds to seek legal counsel.

Motor vehicle crashes

What qualifies as a personal injury case?

Motor vehicle accidents are the most common reasons for personal injury lawsuits. Approximately 6.7 million police-reported car crashes occurred in the U.S. in 2019, with over 36,000 fatalities. In 2022, Texas had one crash on its roads every 57 seconds, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

Car crashes, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and trucking incidents can all cause life-altering injuries. If someone else’s bad driving, carelessness, or not following traffic laws caused your accident, you could get money for it.

Catastrophic Injury Claims

Catastrophic injuries drastically alter a person’s life. These injuries often lead to permanent disability, long-term medical requirements, and a complete change in lifestyle. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:

If you or a loved one has a serious injury, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer for help.

Workplace Disasters

Unfortunately, workplace accidents can have devastating consequences. Workplace accidents like explosions, construction hazards, and exposure to chemicals can cause serious injuries or death.

If you were hurt because of dangerous work conditions, your boss not being careful, or broken equipment, you could have a good reason to sue. Work injury laws are complicated. It’s important to talk to a Houston lawyer to know your rights and choices.

Dog Bite Lawsuits

The CDC says about 4.5 million dog bites happen in the U.S. every year. Dog bites can cause significant physical injuries, emotional trauma, and lasting scars. Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites, and severe injuries often result in extensive medical care and reconstructive surgery. Dog owners must take responsibility for any injuries caused by their pets. This is especially true if the owners were aware of or should have been aware of the dog’s aggressive behavior.

Wrongful Death Claims

If someone dies because of someone else’s carelessness or on purpose, their family can try to get compensation through a wrongful death claim. Dealing with these situations can be very upsetting. However, receiving the money you deserve can help cover funeral expenses. It can also provide support and make up for lost income.

Situations that might give rise to a wrongful death claim:

  • Fatal car accidents
  • Medical malpractice incidents
  • Defective products
  • Workplace accidents

Mass casualty incidents

Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are large-scale emergencies that overwhelm local resources due to the number of victims. These incidents can be caused by natural disasters, acts of violence, or transportation accidents.  Injuries in MCIs are often severe and require immediate, specialized care.

Examples of mass casualty incidents:

  • Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe weather events
  • Mass shootings
  • Large-scale explosions
  • Train derailments or bus crashes

Defective Products

Defective products can cause serious injuries or even death. When a product is dangerously designed, poorly manufactured, or lacks adequate warnings, consumers may unknowingly put themselves at risk. If you’ve been harmed by a defective product, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller.

Types of Product Defects

  • Design defects: Exist when the product’s inherent design is unsafe.
  • Manufacturing defects: Arise during production when the product deviates from its intended design.
  • Marketing defects: Occur when insufficient instructions or inadequate safety warnings accompany the product.

If you are in the Houston area and believe you have a personal injury case, seek legal advice from a qualified Houston injury lawyer.  A lawyer will assess your situation, explain your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Baumgartner Law Firm

6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069

(281) 587-1111

Post under: Personal Injury
Greg Baumgartner, Founder of Baumgartner Law Firm

Since founding the Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985, Greg Baumgartner has established himself as a leading personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas, with a focus on representing severely injured accident victims and families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. His commitment to excellence in legal advocacy has earned him recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and others. With decades of experience, Greg is consistently peer-reviewed and holds a preeminent rating, reflecting his dedication to achieving justice for his clients.


6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069 Call: (281) 587-1111

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